Yep, I agree with you - the situation in Australia is a whole different (although somewhat similar) can of worms. But - honestly - couldn't John Howard have just issued a statement to the Aboriginal people acknowledging the "mistakes" of the past? If I were Australian, I would BALK at him "apologizing" for me, or white people in general for what happened then. The sad truth is that the Aboriginals (like the Native Americans, and countless other peoples) were overcome by force: better technology and firepower. That can't be changed - especially by a "sorry" from one white politician. I asked myself, about a year ago, WHY our ancestors had better technology (and therefore an advantage in conquering less developed nations)in the first place - and with luck, I stumbled upon this book, called 'Guns, Germs, and Steel' in my local library: http://www.amazon.com/Guns-Germs-Steel-Fates-Societies/dp/0393317552 It's a fascinating read. We already know the "how" of it happening, but here's an interesting theory as to the "why" of it all.
It's good chatting with you all! ~Aud --- In [email protected], mike brown <uerusub...@...> wrote: > > Hi Audry and Artie, > > It's quite a different situation in Australia regarding Aboriginal people. > When > the conservative leader John Howard was in power he refused to say 'sorry' > to > the indigenous people despite being called upon to do so for a number of > years. > His argument was similar to both yours: that he wasn't personally > responsible > for the crimes committed by people of a different generation. The Aborigines > point, however, was that policies enacted by a different government still > affects Aborigines today (for example, taking 'half-blood' Aboriginal kids > from > their mothers and putting them into foster care or Christian missions - just > because they had white blood in them). Furthermore, people living in > Australia > today live on the land that was traditionally Aboriginal land and was taken > without payment. Does kinda make a point that white people living on land > taken > from the native people (nearly always by force) do share responsibility with > those people from a different generation. To say, "Sorry" is to recognise > that > there is no 'break' from the past (how convenient for whte landowners, eh?) > and > that we continue to enjoy what was once somebody elses without due > recognition. > > > Mike > > ps Audrey, I used to be in the British infantry and have great respect for > the > US Marines (not as good as the Brit Army, but still damn good!)  : ------------------------------------ Current Book Discussion: any Zen book that you recently have read or are reading! Talk about it today!Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Zen_Forum/ <*> Your email settings: Individual Email | Traditional <*> To change settings online go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Zen_Forum/join (Yahoo! ID required) <*> To change settings via email: [email protected] [email protected] <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: [email protected] <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
